File-cabinet construction



FILE CABINET CONSTRUCTION Filed 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

Dec. 17, 1929 w. 1. CUBBERLEY FILE CABINET CONSTRUCTION Filed g- 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

D 17, 1929, w. 1. CUBBERLEY 1,739,545

FILE CABINET CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 1929 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 17, 1929 r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WARNER I. CUBBERLEY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FILE-CABINET CONSTRUCTION Application filed August 6, 1929. Serial No. 383,944.

or the like is absolutely preventedby positive means, and whereby vertical support is given the folder, pamphlet, book, card, plans or the like, and the vertical supports being adjustable to maintain the same in proper 5 position.

My present invention is in part a continuation of my co-pending application for patent, Serial #364,524, filed May th 1929, Patent No. 1,725,702, August 20, 1929, i

20 In my present invention, the floor of a metal file cabinet, or file cabinet formed of any other suitable material, is so formed that it guides and interlocks with an adjustable member or members having a vertical or substantially vertical portion, and a horizontal,

or substantially horizontal portion. Both'the bottom of the cabinet and the horizontal portion have means in the form of protuberances, corrugations, indentations, or the like which interengage with each other, and there are also means for preventing side slipping and the like of the members with respect to the file cabinet bottom.

The many advantages of such construction are almost obvious, since it is well known that unless files are given vertical support they tend to bunch up, slip under and slump down, and furthermore unless some means be provided for preventing slipping of a file or the 4.0 likealong the bottom of the cabinet, the vertical support is rendered largely ineffective except as a spacer andmeans for retaining those files directly adjacent to it in a substantially vertical position. It is also necessary that a device of this character be freely adjustable up and down the length of a file drawer or the like, since file drawers do not always contain the same number and quantlty of files, and the size ofthe files themselves 0 vary greatly. My present invention is inherently practical since it lends itself to in i corporation in file cabinets now in use, it being merely necessary to run the bottom section of the file cabinet drawer or the like through a suitable machine for forming depressed, elevated or otherwise formed parts, which have the corrugations or protuberances or the like.

It is not necessary to incorporate in a file drawer or the like, slotted rails, openings in the bottom or the like, and by means of the corrugations formed in the bottom all of the structure except the vertical parts of the angular members, and just enough of the corrugations therein to form a grip for the files, are out of the way of the files and danger of tearing files is eliminated and the capacity of the file drawer increased Without unduly crowding the files and the like.

In practice tool racks, plan racks, and the like.

I form preferably an indented channel in the bottom of a file drawer in which the corrugations are formed in series but do not extend to the top surface of the bottom of the drawer; in this corrugated channel are positioned several of my members which have substantially vertical portions rising above the bottom, and substantiallyhorizontal portions having corrugations in series to engage in the corrugations of the channel and extending slightly above the top surface of the bottom to serve both as a means of holding my members in adjusted position in a file drawer and to provide a positive grip for the edges of files placed therein, The same structure can be utilized with equal advantage in a desk distributing set, or mobile distributing set (so called file or book cart), in book racks,

The

broad principle is subject to considerable modification.

I have shown in the drawings a number of mod1ficat1ons,but these lnvolve the same principle of providing means in the supporting bottom of a file drawer, desk set, or the like for both interengaging in similar meansin a slipping.

too-much contact of the files with the corrugations or increasing the thickness'of the structure rising from the bottom and intruding into the space for the files,

Figure 2 is a perspective view, partly broken away, and showing the bottom of a tile drawer formed to receive my device and provided with the usual rod for holding the tabbed spacers in place,

Fi ure 3, is a detail .view in perspective of one orm of the adjustable member of my Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention asused for a desk or shop distributing set, or as a book, plan or tool rack or the like,

Figure 4* is a section taken on the line 4=4 of Figure 4, Figure 1 is a view of the blank from which the base of my invention as illustrated in Figure 4 is made,

Figure 5 is'a modified form of my invention in which the parts formed in the bottom of a file or base are raised instead of indented, so that the corrugations are pocketed in simi-v lar corrugations in the adjustable elements placed thereon,

, Figure 6 is another modified form showing more than one channel having corrugations formed inv the bottom or base of afile cabinet, ordesk classifying or distributing set,

Figure 7 is a modified form'showing that, if desired, the bottom of a file drawer may be corrugated all the way across to receive the form of my device shown in Figure 1 of my Patent No. 1,725,702, but in this form the devices are not self aligning and may slip sideways.v

Figure 8 is alongitudinal section through a file drawer,

v Figure 9' is another modified form for use with a tabbed spacer, and to prevent entrance of dust into the drawer,

Figure 10, views IIIIII, illustrate various modifications of my adjustable members per se, and are self explanatory,

Figure 11 is a perspective view of an extensible form of my invention for use as a desk set, distributing set or the like, and in which the extensible sections are telescoping,

Figure 12. is a detailed perspective of the construction shown in Figure 11,

Figure 1.3 is a transversesection,

Figure 14: is a transverse section showing means for preventing binding, I

Figure 15 is a perspective fragment showing a part of the means for preventing bindin which A file cabinet drawer formed of sheet metal or other suitable material, has sides (1) and a bottom (2); the sides and bottom are suitably connected as at i. e. by interbeading or the like. The bottom (2) has a longitudinal channel (4) extending from end to end between the sides, and the floor of this channel has corrugations (5) or other suitable protuberan'ces which are arranged in series extending from end to end, and terminate short of thetop surface of the bottom as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, 8 and 11. Inter-engaged with these corrugations (5) area plurality of members which have substantially vertical portions and horizontal portions (7) the sides of the vertical portions extending out beyond the sides of the horizontal portions as at (9) the horizontal portions (7) are formed with a series of corrugations (8) which interengage with the corrugations 5) in the channel (4) of the bottom (2) of a file drawer. Accordingly, the positions of these members may be varied at will up and down the bottomof the drawer so that files can and will be held in vertical position and properly supportedneither 'to tight or too loose. F urthermore dust and the like is prevented from entering through the bottom of the drawer. The corrugations (8) rise slightly above the topsurfaee of the floor (2) as indicated at (9) so that the bottom edges of the files will be positively engaged by the corrugations in the horizontal parts (7) to prevent the files from slipping along the bottomslumping down and the like. The distance which the corrugations (8) extend above the floor are governed by expediency and dictates of practice. It willbe noted that the channel (4) is not struck down so low that it intercepts the line between the bottom edges of parts The parts'(3) serve as tracks on which the file drawer is supported on runners or rollers (16)-see Figure 8. In Figure 2 is shown a slot (10) extending the entire length of the bottom (2) of the drawer and through the channel in which is the usual rod (11)\ used in certain type of file cabinets to retain the tabs of spacers; the tabs having openings through whichthe rod is threaded; and said tabs extend into the slot (10) to move along the rod to adjust their position. With this type of file drawer, my adjustable members are somewhat similar to that shown in Figure 10 -view III, that is the horizontal portions are slotted as at (8').

In this case the tabs of spacers extend through the-slots (8") and into slot (10) to engagement with rod (11').

My invention is also applicable for use with book racks, desks classifying or distributing sets, compartmented racks for books, files, cards, pamphlets, plans, tools and the like. In this case a base is provided which has a top (2) and supporting members along the edges (3 from the ends of the base the end walls (1) rise as shown in Figure 4. Centrally of the top is a longitudinal channel (4 similar to channel (4) and corrugated as at (5 ')the' corrugations terminating short of the upper surface of the top (2). In the channel (4 the adjustable members or members (6 is placed with the corrugated horizontal portion in the channel and interengaging with the corrugations in the channel and the substantially vertical portion rising above the top (2) to support books, files, or the like and to com partment the device which is readily transportable from place to place and serves as an ideal desk set or shop accessory or the like. It may be desirable to provide each member with rear extensions (17) as shown also in Fig. 10, view I to increase the support from the same and prevent wabbling or the like. In forming the type of my device shown in Figure 4, a blank such as is shown in Figure 4 is used; the portions IIIIII being bent on the dotted lines to form the supporting runners, parts w being bent down to cover the openings formed by the tubular shape of parts I-IIIII when bent and to finish off the appearance of the device; parts 1 being bent to form the end walls, and the entire length of the base (2 being channeled and corrugated at 4"5"; the entire operation of cutting and bending the blank can be completed by one machine and the device may be suitably painted and decorated in practice.

In Figure 5 is shown another modified form of my device in which the bottom of a file cabinet (or base of a desk set or distributing set or book rack or the like) has the corrugations 5) upstr-uck from an elevated portion (4) extending lengthwise of the bottom from end to end and midway between its edges. Adjustably mounted upon the elevated part (5) is an adjustable member-(or members)having vertical portions (6") and horizontal portions (7) but the corrugated part (8 terminates short of the side edges and is upstruck so that plane-surfaced, downwardly extending parts (12) are provided which are below the corrugations and along the edges and which slide upon the top surface of the bottom (2) with the corrugations (8 pocketing certain of the corrugations 5 of elevated portion (4) such a construction is especially adapted to very large and heavy files which are bulky. It includes the type of adjustable device more particularly described in my pending application Serial #382,856 filed August 2nd, 1929, and as disclosed in my Patent No. 1,725,702 Figure 5. Another form of my device is shown in Figure 6 in which two spaced depressed channels (4 are used in the bottom (2) between which is an intervening part (13) flush with the top surface of the bottom; my adjustable members used with this form are similar to that shown in view IIIFigure 10; the slot (8) bridging the part (13).

It is especially to be noted that my adjustable devices when used with my invention as described in Figures 1 to 6 are self-aligning and pocketed in the channel against side slipping; this is an important feature of my invention. I

In the form of my invention shown in F igure 7 the bottom (2 is formed with corrugar tions extending clear across from side to side, and on which adjustable devices having corrugations (7 extending clear across the horizontal portions are used. With this form, my adjustable devices 6 are of the type defined in Figure 1 of my pending application Serial #364,524. However, a file cabinet formed in this character and style will not self-align the adjustable members and they can side slip. 'Such a cabinet may however be used to supply a cheaper market, or it may be used for classifying cards where the drawers are relatively narrow the necessity for selfalignment of the adjustable members being not so necessary.

In Figure 9 the slot used to receive the tabs of spacers which are threaded on a rod as shown in Figure 2 is modified since the necessary space is afforded by striking down the center of the channel (4 to provide a "considerable depression (10 in which a rod may be received and the tabs of spacers. This construction prevents the entrance of dust through the bottom of a cabinet such as has been found to occur slightly in the old forms of cabinets having rods and in the form shown in Figure 2.

In Figure 10 various modifications of my adjustable members are shown; view I showing supporting ears or feet (17) for the vertical portion; view II showing the horizontal corrugated portion (7) struck from the material of the vertical portion as shown at (18) and this form also has a supporting rear extension (17) view III is similar in corn struction to Figure 3 of my Patent No. 1,725,- 702, there being a center slot (8) to. receive a rod and tabs of a spacer.

Figure 11 shows an adaptation of my invention for use as an extensible desk set or distributor or classification set. The side or supporting edges of the base (2 are bent under and upwardly to form tubular members (19) into which slide the tubular side stringers or members (20) of the two extensible ends (18) in telescoping relationship that is members (2-0) slide into members (21). Several adjustable members may be used with the extensible set as indicated in Figure 11, the corrugated horizontal portions or extensions fitting into the channeled corrugated part (4 of the base (2 to both align the adjustable members, hold them in adjusted positions and prevent side slipping and the like. The corrugated channeled parts (4 of the telescoping or extensible ends (18) fit within the corresponding parts in the base section, and the positions of the ends is maintained when they have been fixed by interengagement of the corrugations of the extensible ends with those of the base section as shown in Figure 12, and also Figure 13. There is sufficient give in the material of the top of the base and the tops of the ends as indicated by the dotted line position a to permit the corrugations of the ends and base to slip by each other with a clicking action under relatively slight pressure with the hands. Should still less pressure be desired the corrugations of the ends and base section may be positively forced apart by beading both the base section and the ends as shown at (21) and (22) the bead-ed parts interfitting as shown in Figure 141; and the length of the beaded portions of one element; either the base or'the ends, being slightly tapered as shown in Figure 15 so that the cor rugations will engage with greater force either when the limit of inward movement of the extensible ends (18) is approached with respect to the base or the limit of outward movement, depending on which is desired. To accomplish this purpose the direction of the taper may be changed. In order to afford additional support for the adjustable members, ears (17 may be provided on each member; another modification whereby any tendency to tilt may be prevented is shown in Figure 17. In Figure 17 the corrugated part or horizontal portion of each adjustable member has side flanges (23) which run upon the upper surface or top of the base of either a file drawer, desk set, or distributing or classification set so that when files, books, papers, pamphlets, or the like are placed thereon they engage also the parts (23) to further prevent wabbling or any looseness or tilting in the adjustable members; these members (23) may also serve to adjust the extent of interengagement of the corrugations 5 and 8. and similar corrugations in the various modifications, such for instance as (5 and (8 While in the foregoing there has been illustrated and described such combination and arrangement of elements and parts as constitute preferred embodiments of my invention, it is nevertheless desired to point out and emphasize that interpretation of the scope of my invention should only be conclusive when made in the light of the subj'oined claims.

I claim 1. A file cabinet construction of the type having drawers for receiving the files and the like, said drawers each having sides and a bottom, the drawer bottom having certain portions depressed below the top surface and said depressed portions having protuberances protuberances in the drawer bottom to hold said means in various positions with respect thereto.

2. A file cabinet construction of the type having drawers for receiving files and the like, said drawers each having sides and a bottom, the drawer bottom being channeled, and the channeled portion having corrugations therein terminating short of the top surface of the bottom, and adjustable file retaining members having substantially vertical portions and horizontal portions for positioning inthe drawer, the horizontal portions of said adjustable members being receivable in the channel to align the members and prevent side slipping, and formed with corrugations interengaging with certain of those in the channeled portion tohold said members in adjusted positions with respect to the drawer and each other.

8. In a file drawer construction, a'drawer having the bottom channeled between its ends and having protuberan'ces arranged in series in the channeled parts, said protuberances terminating short of the top surface of the drawer bottom, and adjustable file-retaining members for positioning in the drawer and each having a substantially vertical and a horizontal part, the horizontal parts fitting into the channeled parts of the drawer to be self-aligning with other adjustable members placed in the drawer, said horizontal parts having protuberances interengaging with the protuberances in the channeled part to hold said members in adjusted positions, and the protuberances of the horizontal parts extending slightly above the top surface of the drawer bottom to be engaged by objects placed therein to prevent slipping of such objects.

4. Means for supporting v files, books. pamphlets and the like comprising a support having a channeled portion extending between its ends thereof, and the floor of the channeled portion being corrugated in series, the corrugations terminating short of the top of the support, and a plurality of means for retaining objects placed on the support, each having a substantially vertical portion and a horizontal portion, the horizontal por tions being receivable in the channel to align and retain said means, and said horizontal portions being corrugated to interengage with certain of the corrugations in the chan- 75 ances 1n series engaging with certain of the r neled portion of the support to hold said means in certain adjusted positions.

5. Means for supporting files, books, pamphlets and the like in substantially vertical position comprising a base for the ob- 'jects which has a channel extending between the ends thereof and a plurality of file-retaining members on the base, each having a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion, the horizontal portions being formed each with a series of corrugations, and the floor of the channel in the base having a series of similar corrugations for interengagement with those of the horizontal portions, said members being formed to be retained in place by the weight of the objects placed thereon, and the corrugations in the horizontal portions extending slightly above the top surface of the base to engage the bottom edges of the objects placed thereon to prevent slipping of the same.

6. A filing device of the type having a receptacle for receiving the files and the like, the bottom of the receptacle being channeled 5 and the channeled portion being formed with a series of corrugations, and means in said receptacle for holding objects placed therein in a substantially vertical position, said means having a substantially horizontal portion provided with corrugations interengaging with the corrugations of the channeled portion of the receptacle to hold said means in position in the receptacle.

In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature hereunto.

WARNER I. CUBBERLEY. 

